Discount and Free Days
Shedd Aquarium is pleased to continue offering community access opportunities when we reopen. Online reservations are required for all guests to manage capacity limits and minimize touchpoints at the entrance. Find the most up-to-date guidelines on our plan a visit page. Browse the full range of access opportunities below and get details on how to reserve!
Free Days & Museums for All
Illinois Resident Free Days
Illinois residents enjoy FREE admission to Shedd Aquarium on select free days throughout the year! Tickets must be reserved online before your visit.
Upcoming Free Days coming soon!
Museums for All: EBT Cards
As a Museums for All partner, Shedd offers daily free and discounted admission to those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits) by simply presenting their EBT card. This offer is available to all families receiving this benefit in any US State. Limit four tickets per order. One EBT card is required for every four Museums for All tickets. Click here to see eligibility and learn more.
Ticket partners
CityPASS
If you purchased a CityPASS, click the link on your mobile CityPASS ticket to reserve your visit date and time, or click the link below to access the CityPASS Travel Guide. Learn more about saving 48% off admission with Chicago CityPASS.
Go Chicago and Hotel Partners
If you purchased your tickets through your hotel or Go Chicago All-Inclusive Pass*, click the link below to select a visit date and time. You may also purchase additional guest tickets.
*Please note, Go Chicago's Explorer Pass and Build Your Own Pass do not include Shedd Aquarium.
Educators & Chicago Public Library: Kids Museum Passport
Educators
Thank you to our teachers! Educators from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin can receive a complimentary Shedd ticket by reserving tickets online below. This offer is not valid during special events or for admission to the 4-D Experience.
Chicago Public Library: Kids Museum Passport
If you’re a CPL cardholder and an adult resident of Chicago, you may check out a Kids Museum Passport at any CPL location. Each CPL location has a limited number of Kids Museum Passports for each museum. Your group must include at least one child under 18 for the Kids Museum Passport to be valid, and a maximum of two adults are admitted with each pass. Once you check out a Kids Museum Passport, please click the link below to reserve your visit date and time. Please show your online reservation and Kids Museum Passport when you arrive at your selected time. No tickets will be available onsite.
First responders & active-duty military
Chicago police officers and firefighters
Chicago police officers and firefighters receive free on-site general admission with proper ID. This offer is not valid during special events or for admission to the 4-D Experience (subject to availability).
Active-duty U.S. military personnel
From May 21, 2022 through Labor Day, September 5, 2022, Shedd Aquarium will participate in the Blue Star Museums program. Active-duty U.S. military personnel and up to 5 guests receive free general admission to Shedd Aquarium with proper ID. Advance reservations are required. Please click the link below to reserve your timed tickets, or click here to learn more about eligibility.
Active-duty U.S. military personnel receive free general admission with proper ID. 4-D Experience tickets can be added on site (subject to availability). However, note that dependents and family are not included in this offer except during the Blue Star Museums dates listed above.
Corporate members & credit card partners
Corporate members
General admission tickets are now the standard ticket offering for all our guests—including corporate partners’ employees. As a supporter of Shedd, your employees will receive complimentary admission to the aquarium’s permanent exhibits, including Stingray Touch, and first-come, first-served tickets to the animal presentation ($39.95 value). See the current corporate member details
Bank of America Museums on Us program
All visitors with an active Bank of America®, Merrill ® (formerly Merrill Lynch®) or Bank of America Private Bank® (formerly U.S. Trust®) branded debit or credit card - physical or electronic/digital card - and an active, valid photo ID shall receive one free general admission to Shedd on select dates.
Bank of America Museums on Us returns in September.
Advance reservations are required. Click the link below to reserve tickets. Admission benefits are not transferable and are valid for the cardholder only. Click here to purchase tickets for additional guests. This offer is not valid during special events or for admission to the 4-D Experience (subject to availability).
Reciprocal Membership
AZA Reciprocal Membership Program
As a proud Association of Zoos & Aquariums-accredited organization, we're happy to extend 50% off admission to our partner organizations enrolled in the AZA Reciprocal Membership Program. Learn more about eligibility.
Museums in the Park
Shedd is happy to announce the return of the reciprocal admission for Museums in the Park employees and volunteers and up to 2 guests. Advance reservations are required. Learn more about participation with Museums in the Park.
Questions? Call us at 312-939-2438 or email us at [email protected]. We appreciate your patience as we work to answer your call, we are currently experiencing a high call volume.
“We make connections with aquatic life so our community will see the lakes, rivers and oceans of the globe in a different way. And we believe everyone should have the opportunity to look nature in the eye. ”
Bridget C. Coughlin, President and CEO
Museums for All is made possible by Ford Motor Company.
